Subduing the Earth—A Purpose That Continues

[dljbsp]

Something I’ve been reflecting on lately is the order of Jehovah’s command in Genesis 1:28: “Be fruitful and become many, fill the earth and subdue it.” He didn’t say to subdue it first—he said to fill it and then subdue it.

 

That word subdue might sound forceful in English, but when we look deeper, it’s really a loving assignment. As explained on JW.org, Jehovah wasn’t telling mankind to exploit the earth—he was inviting them to care for it. It was about cultivating beauty, spreading Eden-like conditions, and responsibly managing creation. g92 4/22 pp. 8-11

 

So I wonder: Could that imply that our role in Paradise will include more than just enjoying the earth—it will involve helping to shape it? Maybe Jehovah left parts of the planet like a blank canvas, waiting for us to expand the garden, restore damaged areas, and keep discovering new ways to reflect his wisdom and creativity.

 

That gives me so much to look forward to. What talents might Jehovah awaken in us? What skills could we develop—landscape design, eco-stewardship, animal care, environmental harmony?

 

It makes the idea of everlasting life not just about length, but about purpose.

[dljbsp]

What do you think subduing the earth might look like in a world without damage or decay?

[BLEmom]

Will we possibly direct animals to areas that need subduing?  We’ve seen in North America what happened when the beavers and wolves were almost completely exterminated; how the areas flourished with reintroduction. We could have similar assessments and reintroductions in the new system to help areas along. 
 

Im still wanting to be part of a Natural Sequence Farming project. I would love the process of regreening an area.